Carmen Vieira Monteiro

Owner – 10 Rocks Tapas Bar & Restaurant

Posted
Friday, February 19, 2016 11:23 am

Carmen Monteiro always dreamed of owning her own restaurant. With help of her husband, her partner Joseph da Rosa and her extended family, she opened 10 Rocks Tapas Bar & Restaurant on the Pawtucket/Providence line. “It was a labor of love,” she says, describing the nearly yearlong construction. Originally from Cape Verde, Carmen wanted to offer Rhode Islanders a taste of her rich culture. “It’s a beautiful culture where food is the centerpiece. I wanted to expose the beauty of it to the community.”

Fusing together a delicious and exotic combination of Portuguese, West African and Caribbean flavors, the menu at 10 Rocks features a variety of seafood and choice cuts of pork, chicken and steak. The family-run restaurant serves traditional recipes from Cape Verde that have been passed down for generations, yet with a modern twist. Tapas, small plates that are meant to be shared, not only allow for a dynamic dining experience, it also allows guests to enjoy a diverse selection of the unique cuisine. “I love to see guests smiling, to feel their positive energy,” she says. “It’s such a pleasure to see people enjoying the live music, the food and the atmosphere.”